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Bill > S3344


NJ S3344

NJ S3344
Upgrades crime of invasion of privacy under certain circumstances; eliminates presumption of nonimprisonment.


summary

Introduced
02/05/2026
In Committee
02/05/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill would increase the criminal penalties for the crime of invasion of privacy and eliminate the presumption of nonimprisonment under certain circumstances. Under the provisions of N.J.S.A.2C:14-9, known as the "video voyeurism" statute, it is a crime of the fourth degree if a person, knowing he is not licensed or privileged to do so, and under circumstances in which a reasonable person would know that another person may expose intimate parts or may engage in sexual penetration or sexual contact, observes another person without that person's consent and under circumstances in which a reasonable person would not expect to be observed. This bill would upgrade the fourth degree crime of observing another person without consent to a crime of the third degree. The bill would also eliminate the presumption of non-imprisonment for this crime. In addition, this bill would upgrade the third degree of photographing or disclosing such images to a crime of the second degree. A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000 or both. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years, a fine of up to $150,000 or both. This bill also amends N.J.S.2C:44-1 to expand the current list of crimes that are not entitled to the presumption of nonimprisonment to include the newly upgraded third degree crime of invasion of privacy.

AI Summary

This bill increases the penalties for invasion of privacy offenses, specifically those related to "video voyeurism," which is defined as observing someone without their consent in circumstances where they would not expect to be observed, or photographing or disclosing images of someone's intimate parts without their consent. The bill upgrades the crime of simply observing someone without consent from a fourth-degree crime to a third-degree crime, which carries a potential prison sentence of three to five years and a fine of up to $15,000. Additionally, it upgrades the crime of photographing or disclosing such images from a third-degree crime to a second-degree crime, punishable by five to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Crucially, the bill eliminates the presumption of non-imprisonment for the newly upgraded third-degree invasion of privacy offense, meaning judges will be more likely to impose jail time for this crime.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 02/05/2026)

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